HP0993, LD 1390, item 1, An Act Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services

An Act Regarding the Cancellation of Subscription Services

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 10 MRSA c. 208-C is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 208-C

SUBSCRIPTIONS

§ 1299. Cancellation of subscriptions

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Internet gaming service" means an online service that provides information, software, data, text, photographs, graphics, audio or video that may be accessed by a person for the purpose of allowing that person to play a single-player or multiplayer game through the Internet or to download a game for that person to play offline. "Internet gaming service" does not include online gambling or other gaming in which a person participates to win money.

B. "Online media player" means an online service that delivers audio or video content.

C. "Social networking service" means an online service that facilitates the building of social relations and the sharing of information among specified groups of people.

D. "Subscription" means an agreement to provide any of the following goods or services for a specified time and price:

(1) Newspapers, magazines, journals and periodicals and online news sources, including, but not limited to, online versions of newspapers, magazines, journals and periodicals;

(2) Cable or Internet services;

(3) Online media players;

(4) Social networking services;

(5) Internet gaming services; and

(6) Other Internet subscriptions.

2. Method of cancellation of subscription. A person that provides goods or services pursuant to a subscription shall provide to a subscriber:

A. At the time the subscription starts, information regarding how the subscriber may cancel the subscription;

B. A secure, prominently displayed and easy-to-use method on the person's website that allows the subscriber to cancel the subscription immediately without having to send a letter by the United States Postal Service or other delivery service or to make a telephone call; and

C. The option to cancel the subscription using the same method that was used to start the subscription.

3. Violation. A violation of this section is a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a person that provides certain goods or services pursuant to a subscription to provide to a subscriber, at the time the subscription starts, information regarding how the subscriber may cancel the subscription; a secure, prominently displayed and easy-to-use method on the person's website that allows the subscriber to cancel the subscription immediately without having to send a letter by the United States Postal Service or other delivery service or to make a telephone call; and the option to cancel the subscription using the same method that was used to start the subscription. A violation of the provisions of the bill is a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.

HP0993 LD 1390	Session - 126th Maine Legislature		LR 999 Item 1
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